Webbing Material Selection Guide

Posted: 6/28/2018

By: Collin Barnwell

For products such as bags, backpacks, luggage, pet leashes, vehicle tie-downs, and vehicle strapping choosing the correct webbing material is crucial in assuring the life-span, safety and customer satisfaction of your product.

Utilizing our 60+ years of knowledge of component textiles, DirecTex has put together this handy selection guide to help you make the correct decision. Remember to ask for webbing samples so you can evaluate for your SPECIFIC application.

Nylon Webbing

Nylon webbing is a durable option for applications such as leashes, bridles, and handles. Available in many styles, nylon webbing can have a very high-end feel with the right weave. Nylon webbing is colored using a dye-bath - custom colors are easily obtainable and require significant lower minimums, when compared to polypropylene webbing.

Applications where webbing strength is vital, nylon's high breaking point makes it a viable option. Our nylon webbing has a tensile strength rating ranging from 300 to 5,000 LBS (+/- 5%) - depending on the specific style.

It is important to note that nylon webbing has a low resistance to mildew and exposure to elements can cause color bleeding or fading. Nylon may not be an appropriate option for products with high moisture environments.

View our selection of nylon webbing here.

Polypropylene Webbing

Polypropylene (polypro) webbing has been a staple of the bag, luggage, and outdoor industries for years due to it’s lightweight construction and high UV protectant nature. Polypro webbing obtains its coloring through a process called dope-dying, or melt-dying, in which the pellets used to extrude polypro thread are colored before extrusion. Polypro webbing requires a very high minimum for custom colors.

While polypro webbing offers incredible UV protection (min. 200 hours without color reduction) and is roughly 20% lighter than nylon webbing; polypro webbing has a very moderate breaking strength, with a tensile rating of 200 to 3,000 LBS (+/- 5%) - depending on the specific style.

Polypro webbing is also an excellent choice for applications where water and mildew are concerns - due its non-absorbent nature, polypro webbing will not mildew. Polypro webbing will hold its strength when wet.

View our selection of polypropylene webbing here.

Polyester Webbing

Polyester webbing is widely used in the transportation industry for products such as tie-downs and ratchet straps, due to its low elongation properties. Polyester webbing is available is fewer custom colors than nylon or polypro, as the thermosol dyeing process is difficult and requires a minimums.

Polyester webbing has natural UV inhibitors offering UV protection comparable to polypro webbing. Polyester webbing offers high strength and good impact resistance, heat and corrosion resistance, and acid resistant.

View our selection of polyester webbing here.

Still looking for more information about which webbing works for your application? Call our dedicated Customer Service team and we will be glad to answer your questions, (888) 711-3297.